UAE immigration can stop a child at the border without this document
When a child travels internationally with only one parent, UAE immigration authorities often require written consent from the absent parent — especially if parents are divorced or separated. Without a notarized Child Travel Consent POA, the child may be denied boarding or stopped at the UAE border.
Child travel authorization in the UAE is governed by Federal Law No. 28 of 2005 on Personal Status. Three articles are particularly relevant: Article 149 — the child's custodian cannot take the child outside the UAE without written consent from the legal guardian; if the guardian refuses, the matter can be escalated to court. Article 150 — a mother cannot travel internationally with her child without the father's written approval while they are married or during the waiting period after a revocable divorce. Article 151 — the father (or other legal guardian) cannot take the child abroad during the custody period without the custodian's written consent. In all cases, consent must be explicit, unambiguous, and notarized — implied or verbal consent carries no legal weight.
When Is a Child Travel Consent POA Required?
- Child traveling with mother only — father's consent required by many countries
- Child traveling with father only — mother's consent required by many countries
- Divorced parents — always recommended to carry a notarized consent POA
- Child traveling alone (with guardian or school group) — both parents' consent needed
- Child holding a different nationality/passport from the traveling parent
Child Traveling With One Parent — Consent Required
- Child with mother only → Father's notarized consent required (Article 150)
- Child with father only → Mother's notarized consent required (Article 151)
- If parents are divorced: custody order + notarized consent from non-traveling parent
- If one parent is deceased: death certificate + court guardian appointment document
- MOFA attestation required for all international destinations
Child Traveling With Third Party — Stricter Requirements
- Child with grandparent or relative → Both parents' notarized consent required
- Child with non-relative (teacher, family friend) → Both parents' consent + POA with broader authority
- School trip abroad: school letter + consent from both parents + POA for teacher/group leader
- Destination country may require additional forms — check embassy requirements
- Airlines may request documents at check-in — carry originals, not just copies
Child is defined as under 18 in the UAE — and some countries use 21
The UAE considers anyone under 18 a minor requiring parental consent for international travel. Some countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman) require consent for travel of persons up to 21. Always check the destination country's requirements. The consent POA should specify: the child's full name and passport number, destination countries, travel dates, and the traveling parent or guardian's details.
Documents Required for a Child Travel Authorization
- Child's valid passport (original + copy) and UAE ID if available
- Attested birth certificate (with certified Arabic translation if issued abroad)
- Emirates ID and passport of the consenting parent (person granting permission)
- Marriage certificate or divorce decree — to establish custody and legal relationship
- For divorced parents: custody judgment from UAE court or recognized foreign court
- Passport of the accompanying person (if child travels with non-parent)
- MOFA attestation for international recognition — required for travel abroad
Travel Consent Letter — Simple Authorization
- Authorizes travel for a specific trip or time period only
- No broader legal powers granted — only travel permission
- Suitable for: child traveling abroad for a holiday with one parent
- Simpler to draft and notarize — lower cost
- Valid for destination country immigration — MOFA attestation may be needed
Child Travel POA — Broader Legal Authority
- Grants the accompanying person legal authority to make decisions for the child
- Can include: medical decisions, education, emergency legal representation
- Suitable for: extended stay, school year abroad, or long-term care by relative
- More comprehensive — required when more than travel permission is needed
- Recommended for any absence exceeding 2–3 months
I, the undersigned, [Full Name of Consenting Parent], nationality: [Nationality], Emirates ID No.: [XXXXXXX], Passport No.: [XXXXXXX], hereby give my explicit and full consent for my child: [Full Name of Child], date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY], Passport No.: [XXXXXXX], to travel internationally in the company of [Full Name of Accompanying Person], nationality: [Nationality], Passport No.: [XXXXXXX], relationship to child: [Relationship]. This travel consent covers travel to [Destination Country/Countries] for the period from [Date] to [Date], or for a period not exceeding [Duration]. The accompanying person is authorized to: accompany the child, handle travel-related documentation, and act as temporary guardian during the travel period. This consent is issued through Dubai Courts or the UAE Ministry of Justice via a video call and is valid for the stated travel period unless revoked earlier.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For UAE departures it must be in Arabic or include a certified Arabic translation. We provide bilingual consent letters in Arabic and English as standard.
Yes. The consenting parent must appear before the Notary Public in person to sign. If the absent parent is outside the UAE, the document can be notarized in their country and sent to us for MOFA attestation.
In a divorce situation, the UAE custody framework determines whose consent is needed. General rule: the parent who is NOT traveling with the child must give consent. If the mother has custody and the child travels with her: father's consent is required. If the father has visitation rights and takes the child abroad: mother's (custodian's) consent is required. If a third party (grandparent, uncle) is taking the child: both parents' consent is needed. Importantly, a court custody order may already grant one parent the right to travel — check your custody judgment carefully before assuming consent is required. If consent is disputed, the matter goes to the Family Court.
Yes — when a parent is deceased, their consent is replaced by a court-appointed guardian's authority. Required documents in this case: the deceased parent's death certificate (with certified Arabic translation if issued abroad); a court order appointing the surviving parent or another person as legal guardian; and the guardian's valid passport and Emirates ID. The notarized consent is then issued in the surviving parent's name as legal guardian. If no court guardianship order exists, one must be obtained from a UAE Personal Status Court or the relevant court in the country of the child's nationality before travel.
For international travel (outside the UAE): yes — MOFA attestation is required for the consent to be recognized by foreign immigration authorities and airlines. The attestation chain for international use: (1) Notarize with a UAE Notary Public; (2) Attest with UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); (3) Some countries also require their embassy's attestation. For travel within the UAE (domestic travel): MOFA attestation is not required. Timeframe for MOFA attestation: typically 1–3 working days. We handle the full attestation process on your behalf.
The validity period is specified in the document itself. For a single trip: state the exact travel dates (departure and return). For recurring travel: a validity of up to 1 year is standard — some countries (GCC destinations especially) accept annual consents. Important: some destination countries require the consent to have been issued within 6 months of the travel date — issue the document as close to the travel date as possible. Airlines and immigration may reject a consent letter that appears 'too old' even if still within the stated validity period. When in doubt, reissue closer to travel.
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